What is the Constrictor – Howard Method used for?

Secure drains, catheters, and tubes firmly with no slippage; Tie off tubular structures in surgery that call for a permanent knot; Ligate vessels or ducts when a knot that won't loosen is needed; Standardize the teaching of the Constrictor Knot in surgical training; Situations where building the knot over the forceps makes positioning the loop easier.

How do you tie the Constrictor – Howard Method?

The Constrictor – Howard Method is a specific way of tying the Constrictor Knot over surgical forceps, following a defined sequence of loops. It's one of the standard ways taught to produce this self-locking knot reproducibly, guaranteeing a firm clamp around tubes and other structures. Follow the illustrated step-by-step, with a photo for every stage, on Desbravai.

Is the Constrictor – Howard Method hard to tie?

The Constrictor – Howard Method is rated medium, in the Surgical category and is taught with a photo at every stage on Desbravai.

What other names does the Constrictor – Howard Method have?

It is also known as Constrictor – Howard Method. (ABOK #1249)

What precautions apply when using the Constrictor – Howard Method?

Like every Constrictor, it's hard to remove once tightened: it generally has to be cut to undo; Don't use it where the structure can't tolerate firm compression; Check the loop sequence: one step out of order changes the knot and reduces its holding power.

Constrictor – Howard Method

The Howard method of tying the Constrictor Knot over the forceps

Also called: Constrictor – Howard Method · ABOK #1249

What it is for

Secure drains, catheters, and tubes firmly with no slippage
Tie off tubular structures in surgery that call for a permanent knot
Ligate vessels or ducts when a knot that won't loosen is needed
Standardize the teaching of the Constrictor Knot in surgical training
Situations where building the knot over the forceps makes positioning the loop easier